TAMPA — Aaron Boone is gearing up for a pivotal moment.
With the Yankees down by two in the bottom of the ninth, two outs, and the bases loaded, Aaron Judge strikes out on a low pitch to finish the game. They’ve already reached their limit with the new Automatic Ball Strike System (ABS).
“It’s going to happen,” Boone remarked on Wednesday.
However, Yankees management doesn’t want the team to be overly cautious about such situations. They’re actively brainstorming strategies as they head into the spring season, preparing for what lies ahead in the regular season.
“What we’ve noticed is that players aren’t pushing themselves enough,” Boone noted. “When this situation arises, the instinct might be to hold back. But games can be won or lost in those early innings. We want our players disciplined, yes, but we also want them to take the initiative.”
On Wednesday, the Yankees practiced with an umpire calling balls and strikes during live batting practice. Pitchers and batters took full advantage of the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the system. They also displayed a digital strike zone on the scoreboard right after each pitch, even when ABS wasn’t in use.
“These guys are key in helping us stay aligned,” Boone explained. “This is like a new skill, where you have to decide within two seconds. It’s crucial to get it right. We aim for proactivity, but correctness is equally important.”
The Yankees are looking to integrate Ryan McMahon and some shortstops this spring to see if he can serve as a backup option. This would provide them with more roster flexibility, especially early in the season when they might be without one or two shortstops.
Anthony Volpe is expected to start the season on injured reserve, while Oswaldo Cabrera is still recovering from a broken ankle and might not be ready for the season’s start. The Yankees also seem hesitant about using Amed Rosario at shortstop.
If Volpe or Cabrera are sidelined, instead of adding another infielder as a backup shortstop, the Yankees have the peace of mind that McMahon, an excellent defender at third base, can step in if needed.
“If we find ourselves in a bind, I’m confident he can handle the position,” Boone said. “He’s absolutely capable. We might designate some days for groundball practice, perhaps even put him in a game. That’s something I’ve discussed with him.”
Ryan Yarbrough and Paul Blackburn, currently reinforced as starters in preparation for any potential injuries to the Yankees’ rotation, each threw two innings and about 35 pitches during Wednesday’s live batting practice.
